Windows 8.1 overtakes XP for the first time globally

Windows 8.1 has now reached 10.95pc of internet users, overtaking XP for the first time, according to new figures from StatCounter Global Stats.

Windows 8.1 is now on 10.95pc of devices accessing the internet, just narrowly ahead of XP which is at 10.69pc.

The most popular operating system remains Windows 7, which is on 50.3pc of computers accessing the internet.

“Following a somewhat mixed reaction to Windows 8, Windows 8.1 has made steady progress since its launch,” said Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter.

“It passed Windows 8 in August and has now passed Windows XP in November. The growth trajectory for Windows 8.1 has been positive but if current trends continue it will not topple Windows 7 before Windows 10 is launched in 2015.”

In Ireland, Windows 8.1 is on 14.1pc of devices accessing the internet and overtook XP in June of this year. XP is currently on 6.6pc, despite support withdrawal in April. Windows 7 remains the leader in the Irish market in terms of internet usage with 41.1pc.

In the US, Windows 8.1 is at 12.2pc, having overtaken XP in October. Windows 7 leads with 43.9pc.

In the UK, where Windows 8.1 overtook XP in April, XP has declined to 4.2pc while Windows 8.1 is at 13.2pc. Windows 7 is No 1 on 40.4pc of machines.